Air amplifier

Abstract

An air amplifier (3) for directing airflow from a fan assembly (1), and a fan assembly (1) comprising an air amplifier (3). The air amplifier (3) comprises an inlet for receiving airflow from the fan assembly (1) and an airflow cavity (7). The airflow cavity (7) comprises a first wall (11) and a second wall (13) which define an airflow passage (15) extending towards an exhaust outlet (17) for discharging air. A lip (19) is provided at or towards a front edge (11)a of the first wall (11). The lip (19) extends towards the second wall (13) thereby partially inhibiting airflow from the exhaust outlet (17).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to an air amplifier for guiding airflow from a fan assembly, and a fan assembly including the air amplifier. Background Technology

[0002] In the field of heating and cooling systems, bladeless heating and / or cooling systems are known and are becoming a popular alternative to traditional bladed fans. Known bladeless systems are available for home environments and can also be used as air purifiers and / or humidifiers / dehumidifiers. Although called "bladeless," bladeless heating and / or cooling systems typically include a base that houses a fan assembly powered by a motor. An air amplifier is usually located above the base and configured to direct air away from the fan assembly and out through an exhaust outlet. The air amplifier typically has an annular shape with an airfoil-shaped inner surface. As air from the fan assembly exits through the exhaust outlet, air is drawn in through the annular surface on the airfoil. This multiplies the airflow as it passes through the air amplifier.

[0003] The goal is to improve airflow generated by the heating / cooling system while achieving high energy efficiency and low noise. This requires a low-pressure system.

[0004] Air amplifiers used in bladeless heating / cooling systems are known to have a single-slot exhaust outlet, typically approximately 3.5 mm wide. Increasing the width of the exhaust outlet slot may reduce the air pressure at the outlet. However, this could adversely affect the airflow velocity of the air discharged from the exhaust slot, thus reducing fan efficiency. Furthermore, increasing the slot width increases the risk of foreign objects entering the slot and is aesthetically undesirable.

[0005] In some cases, it may be desirable to guide the airflow at a certain angle, such as radially inward in the case of an annular air outlet, in order to concentrate the airflow and "focus" it on a specific location.

[0006] Therefore, there is a need for a low-pressure air amplifier that can improve airflow or airflow guidance, is highly energy efficient, and / or has low noise. Summary of the Invention

[0007] According to a first aspect, this disclosure provides an air amplifier for guiding airflow from a fan assembly. The air amplifier includes an inlet for receiving airflow from the fan assembly. The air amplifier includes an airflow cavity, wherein the airflow cavity includes a first wall and a second wall, the first wall and the second wall defining an airflow passage extending toward an exhaust outlet for discharging air. A lip is disposed at or toward the leading edge of the first wall, thereby partially suppressing airflow from the exhaust outlet.

[0008] An air amplifier can be configured to be located above a fan assembly housed in a base of a heating or cooling system. An air inlet can be located at or towards the base of the fan assembly and can be configured to guide air upwards from the fan assembly into an airflow chamber. The air inlet can direct air towards the back of the airflow chamber. The airflow chamber may have a smooth, curved back wall, and a first and second wall of the airflow chamber may extend forward from the back wall toward the front of the air amplifier and toward an exhaust outlet, thereby forming an airflow channel. An exhaust outlet may be located at the front of the airflow channel. The exhaust outlet may include a slot, and the leading edge of the wall of the airflow channel may define the slot.

[0009] The air amplifier can have a circular or rounded oblong annular shape. The inner surface of the annulus can include a smooth airfoil surface. As air exits from the exhaust outlet, air can be drawn in through the back of the air amplifier and pass over the airfoil surface. This can result in a multiplication of the airflow exiting from the front of the air amplifier.

[0010] The first wall of the airflow channel can be the outermost wall, forming part of the outer surface of the ring, and the second wall can be the inner wall, forming part of the inner surface of the ring. Therefore, the lip can extend towards the center of the air amplifier, guiding air towards the center of the air amplifier. The lip 19 can change the direction of the airflow in a manner similar to a Gurney flap. The lip 19 can increase the inward momentum of the airflow towards the center of the air amplifier. The lip also narrows the exhaust outlet, resulting in an increased airflow velocity from the exhaust outlet. The lip does not extend across the entire width of the exhaust channel, allowing air to still exit from the exhaust channel. The lip can be an extension of the first wall, or it can be attached to the first wall.

[0011] The lip can extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first and / or second walls. The lip can extend radially inward toward the center of the air amplifier across a portion of the exhaust channel width. A sharp angle can be formed between the first wall of the airflow channel and the lip. Advantageously, this arrangement results in a greater increase in momentum of the airflow toward the center of the air amplifier compared to a smooth and curved wall exhaust outlet. Using a smoother, curved wall geometry to produce the same increase in inward momentum would require a large radius of curvature of the wall. In contrast, using a sharp-angled lip saves space. This allows the air amplifier to have a larger air cavity and a larger airflow channel, thereby reducing pressure losses within the system. The first and second walls of the airflow channel can be parallel near the exhaust channel. The lip can extend partially across the exhaust channel at an angle perpendicular to the first and second walls.

[0012] The lip can extend toward the second wall at an angle between approximately 60 and 120 degrees to the first wall. The lip can be angled inward toward the rear of the air amplifier while still partially suppressing airflow from the exhaust outlet. Forming a sharper inner angle between the lip and the first wall of the airflow passage can further increase the inward momentum of the airflow toward the center of the airflow cavity. Alternatively, the lip can be angled outward from the front of the air amplifier.

[0013] The lip can be located at the outermost edge of the first wall. Therefore, before being discharged from the exhaust channel, the lip may cause an increase in airflow velocity and an increase in inward momentum.

[0014] The lip can extend across approximately half the width of the airflow channel. The lip can extend across less than half the width of the airflow channel. The lip can extend across less than one-third of the width of the airflow channel. The lip can extend across at least 5% of the width of the airflow channel. The lip can extend across at least 10% of the width of the airflow channel. The lip can extend across at least 15% of the width of the airflow channel. The lip can extend across at least 20% of the width of the airflow channel. Providing a lip that extends across a small portion of the width of the airflow channel can increase the inward momentum of air towards the center of the air amplifier and increase the velocity of the air discharged from the exhaust outlet without unduly restricting the airflow from the exhaust outlet.

[0015] A partition can be provided within the airflow channel to divide the airflow channel into a first exhaust channel and a second exhaust channel, wherein a lip partially suppresses the airflow from the first exhaust channel. The partition can be a rib. The partition can extend along the airflow channel from the front to the rear of the airflow chamber. The rib can be a straight rib centrally located within the airflow channel, such that the first and second exhaust channels have the same width. The rib can extend parallel to the first and / or second walls of the airflow channel. The partition can be a partition body. The partition body can be a solid body or a hollow body. The partition body can widen towards the rear of the airflow chamber to partially or completely block the line of sight from the exhaust outlet to the back wall of the airflow chamber.

[0016] According to a second aspect, this disclosure provides a fan assembly including an air amplifier. The air amplifier is an air amplifier that includes any of the features described above. The fan assembly may be part of a heating and / or cooling system. The heating and / or cooling system may also function as an air amplifier. The fan assembly may be a fan assembly for a domestic environment.

[0017] It will be understood, of course, that features described with respect to one aspect of the invention may be incorporated into other aspects of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference only to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0019] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a fan assembly including an air amplifier according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0020] Figure 2(a) is Figure 1 Front view of the fan assembly;

[0021] Figure 2(b) is a cross-section taken along line AA shown in Figure 2(a);

[0022] Figure 3 This is a close-up view of a portion of the cross-section shown in Figure 2(b);

[0023] Figure 4(a) is a front view of a fan assembly including an air amplifier according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0024] Figure 4(b) is a cross-section taken along line AA shown in Figure 4(a), showing the angled lip and teardrop-shaped separator body set in the channel;

[0025] Figure 5 This is a close-up view of a portion of the cross-section shown in Figure 4(b); and

[0026] Figure 6 This is a portion of the cross-section of an air amplifier according to a third embodiment of the present invention, showing a rib disposed within the airflow channel. Detailed Implementation

[0027] Figure 1 A perspective view of a fan assembly 1 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure is shown, the fan assembly including an air amplifier 3 disposed above a base 5. The air amplifier 3 has an elongated annular shape, and the inner surface of the annulus includes a smooth airfoil surface 6. The base 5 houses a fan impeller (not shown) powered by a motor (not shown). An air inlet (not shown) is provided at the bottom of the air amplifier 3, which receives air from the fan impeller when the fan assembly 1 is in use. Air from the base 5 is guided upward toward the back of the airflow chamber 7 via the air inlet.

[0028] Figure 2(a) shows Figure 1 The front view of the fan assembly 1 shown in Figure 2(b) shows a cross-section taken along line AA through the air amplifier 3, and Figure 3 A close-up view of a portion of the cross-section shown in Figure 2(b) is displayed. The airflow chamber 7 has a smoothly curved back wall 9, which is designed to reduce the air pressure within the airflow chamber 7. The first wall 11 and the second wall 13 of the air amplifier (as shown in Figure 2(b) and Figure 3As shown, the air amplifier 3 extends forward towards the front of the air amplifier 3, forming an airflow channel 15. An exhaust outlet 17 is located at the front of the airflow channel 15. The exhaust outlet is a groove defined by the front edges 11a and 13a of the first wall 11 and the second wall 13 (as shown). Figure 3 (As shown).

[0029] During use, air flows forward from the back of the airflow chamber 7 along the airflow channel 15 to the exhaust outlet 17 and is discharged from the exhaust slot 17. When the air is discharged from the exhaust slot 17, the air is drawn in through the back of the air amplifier 3 and passes through the airfoil surface 4 of the ring.

[0030] A lip 19, located at the front edge 11a of the first wall 11, extends toward the center of the exhaust channel 17. The lip 19 extends vertically toward the front edge 13a of the second wall 13, spanning approximately 1 / 5 of the width of the exhaust channel. The lip 19 increases the inward momentum of the air flowing out of the exhaust outlet 17.

[0031] The lip 19 alters the direction of airflow in a manner similar to a Gurney flap. The lip 19 forms a sharp 90-degree wall angle within the airflow channel 15, which, compared to a smooth, curved inner wall, results in a significant increase in inward momentum within a small space, thereby improving the performance of the air amplifier.

[0032] A fan assembly 101 according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure is shown in Figure 4(a) , 4(b) Figure 4(a) is a front view of the fan assembly 101, and Figure 4(b) is a cross-section taken along line AA through the air amplifier 103. Figure 5 This is a close-up view of a portion of the cross-section shown in Figure 4(b). Similar to... Figures 1-3 The fan assembly 101 includes a base 105 and an air amplifier 103 located on top of the base. The air amplifier 103 includes components that are substantially similar to... Figure 3The air cavity 107 shown is identical in shape to the air cavity 107. A first wall 111 and a second wall 113 extend toward the front of the air amplifier 103 and form an airflow channel 115, with the front edges 111a and 113a of the first wall 111 and the second wall 113 defining an exhaust outlet 119. A teardrop-shaped separator body 121 is provided in the airflow channel 115. The separator body 121 divides the airflow channel 115 into a first exhaust channel 123 and a second exhaust channel 125 extending toward the exhaust groove 119. The separator body 121 gradually tapers toward the exhaust groove 119 and widens toward the rear of the airflow channel 115, thereby reducing the risk of foreign objects entering the exhaust groove 117 and reaching the rear of the air cavity 107, and blocking the view from the exhaust groove 117 to the rear of the cavity 107. A lip 119 is provided on the front edge 111a of the first wall 111 and extends partially across the first exhaust channel in a direction perpendicular to the first wall 111. The lip 119 extends approximately 20% across the exhaust groove 117.

[0033] Figure 6 A close-up partial cross-sectional view through an air amplifier 203 according to a third embodiment of the present invention is shown. The airflow cavity 207 has a smooth, curved internal geometry designed to reduce air pressure within the cavity 207. A first wall 211 and a second wall 213 extend toward the front air amplifier 203, and an exhaust channel 217 is defined by the leading edges of the first wall 211a and the second wall 213a. A partition rib 221 is provided in the airflow passage and divides the airflow passage 215 into a first exhaust passage 223 and a second exhaust passage 225. A lip 219 is provided at the leading edge 211a of the first wall 211 and extends partially across the first exhaust passage in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first wall 211.

[0034] While the invention has been described and illustrated with reference to specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that the invention is suitable for many different variations not specifically described herein. Some possible variations will now be described by way of example only.

[0035] In some embodiments, the lip does not extend from the first wall of the exhaust passage at a 90-degree angle, but extends outward from the front of the exhaust groove at an angle of up to 30 degrees, or inward toward the rear of the air cavity at an angle of up to 30 degrees.

[0036] In some embodiments, the air amplifier is part of a cooling system and / or a heating system. In some embodiments, the heating and / or cooling system is also an air purifier. In some embodiments, the heating element is disposed at the rear of the airflow chamber, and the partition body blocks the visible wiring from the exhaust outlet to the heating element.

[0037] In the foregoing description, where references are made to an element or component having a known, obvious, or foreseeable equivalent, such equivalents are incorporated herein as if separately described. The true scope of the invention should be determined with reference to the claims, which should be interpreted as including any such equivalents. The reader will also understand that elements or features of the invention described as preferred, advantageous, convenient, etc., are optional and do not limit the scope of the independent claims. Furthermore, it should be understood that such optional elements or features, while potentially beneficial in some embodiments of the invention, may be undesirable in others and therefore may be absent.

Claims

1. An air amplifier for directing airflow from a fan assembly, the air amplifier comprising: An inlet for receiving airflow from the fan assembly; as well as An airflow chamber, wherein the airflow chamber includes a first wall and a second wall, the first wall and the second wall defining an airflow passage extending toward an exhaust outlet for discharging air; The lip is located at the outermost edge of the first wall, and The lip is an integral extension of the first wall and extends toward the second wall at an angle perpendicular to the first wall, thereby forming a sharp angle between the first wall and the lip within the airflow passage, thereby partially suppressing the airflow from the exhaust outlet.

2. The air amplifier according to claim 1, wherein, The lip extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first wall and / or the second wall.

3. The air amplifier according to claim 1, wherein, The lip extends toward the second wall at an angle between approximately 60 and 120 degrees to the first wall.

4. The air amplifier according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The lip extends less than half the width of the airflow channel.

5. The air amplifier according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The lip extends across less than one-third of the width of the airflow channel.

6. The air amplifier according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The lip extends at least 5% of the width of the airflow channel.

7. The air amplifier according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The lip extends at least 10% of the width of the airflow channel.

8. The air amplifier according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, A separator is disposed within the airflow channel to divide the airflow channel into a first exhaust channel and a second exhaust channel, wherein the lip partially inhibits the airflow from the first exhaust channel.

9. A fan assembly comprising an air amplifier according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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